''Missionary'' is a 2013

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been ...

thriller film by

Anthony DiBlasi Anthony DiBlasi is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his work in horror films. He made his directorial debut in 2009 with the film '' Dread'', based on the 1984 short story of the same name by English novelist and ...

. It received its world premiere on July 25, 2013 at the

Fantasia International Film Festival Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...

and stars Dawn Olivieri as a single mother caught up in one man's obsession with her.

Plot summary

Katherine ( Dawn Olivieri) is a mother trying to raise her son Kesley (Connor Christie) the best she can, despite being recently separated from her husband Ian (

Kip Pardue Kevin Ian "Kip" Pardue (born September 23, 1975) is an American actor and model, who became known for his roles in the films ''Remember the Titans'', '' But I'm a Cheerleader'', '' The Rules of Attraction'' and ''Thirteen''. Early life and educ ...

). When

Mormon missionary Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)—widely known as Mormon missionaries—are volunteer representatives of the church who engage variously in proselytizing, church service, humanitarian aid, and commu ...

Elder Kevin Brock (Mitch Ryan) offers to help her son practice

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

, both he and Katherine are drawn to one another. Despite some worries about the 10 year age difference between the two of them, Katherine and Kevin are initially happy in their blossoming relationship. It takes a sour turn when Katherine decides to try to work things out with her estranged husband, which doesn't sit well with Kevin. Already a little mentally unstable, Kevin's warped mind tries to use his religion to justify making Katherine his... forever.

Cast

* Dawn Olivieri as Katherine Kingsman * Mitch Ryan as Kevin Brock *

as Ian Kingsman * J. LaRose as Sarge Powell * Connor Christie as Kesley Kingsman *

Jordan Woods-Robinson Jordan Woods-Robinson is an American actor, musician and composer, He is best known for his portrayal of Eric Raleigh in '' The Walking Dead'' series. He has also appeared in '' Magic City'' and ''Drop Dead Diva''. Early life and education Wo ...

as Alan Whitehall * Randy Molnar as President Andersen * Danielle Kimberley as April Britton * Dushawn Moses as Doctor West * Jesse Malinowski as Elder Lillejord *

Jeff Chase Jeff Chase (born Jeffrey L. Sniffen; January 17, 1968) is an American film and television actor who played for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League. Chase was born in Paterson, New Jersey. Raised in Totowa, New Jersey and West Pate ...

as Brian * Mary Lankford Poiley as Crystal (as Mary Lankford)

Reception

Critical reception for ''Missionary'' has been mixed to positive, and ''

Dread Central Dread Central is an American website founded in 2006 that is dedicated to horror news, interviews, and reviews. It covers horror films, comics, novels, and toys. Dread Central has won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website f ...

'' called the movie an "exemplary specimen of human horror done right.". Part of the film's criticism stemmed from the movie's familiarity to other films in the stalker/slasher genre, but ''

Fearnet Fearnet was an American digital cable television network, website and video on demand service owned by Comcast. The network specialized in horror entertainment programming through a mix of acquired and original series, and feature films. Backgr ...

'' noted that "You know most of what Missionary has in store before you hit play, but the final product is still a well-crafted and efficient little thriller." Several reviewers brought up concerns about whether or not the film would be considered offensive to people and ''

Empire Online ''Empire'' is a British film magazine published monthly by Bauer Consumer Media. The first issue was published in May 1989. History David Hepworth of Emap, the publisher of British music magazines '' Q'' and ''Smash Hits'', among other titles ...

'' commented that DiBlasi and crew were "careful not to demonise the entire religion, and

ook Ook, OoK or OOK may refer to: * Ook Chung (born 1963), Korean-Canadian writer from Quebec * On-off keying, in radio technology * Toksook Bay Airport (IATA code OOK), in Alaska * Ook!, an esoteric programming language based on Brainfuck * Ook, th ...

time to make its elders likeably normal". ''

Bloody Disgusting Bloody Disgusting is an American multi-media company, which began as a horror genre-focused news site/website specializing in information services that covered various horror medias, including: film, television, video games, comics, and music. ...

'' gave the film a positive review and wrote that "DiBlasi has crafted a tightly wound downward spiral of infidelity, violence, and small-town adversity that’s a model of restraint."

References

External links

* *{{IMDb title, 2095713 2013 films 2013 thriller films American thriller films 2013 drama films Works about Mormon missionaries 2010s English-language films 2010s American films